How to apply for Tennessee County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Who it's for

Tennessee exempts disabled veterans from the county motor vehicle privilege tax — the county 'wheel tax' collected with the annual vehicle registration. The exemption covers any veteran with a 100% permanent, total disability from a service-connected cause, and any former prisoner of war as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To claim it, show evidence of the disability to the county office that collects the tax, usually the county clerk at registration renewal. The dollar savings equals the county's wheel tax, which varies by county.

What you'll need

• VA award letter showing the 100% permanent, total service-connected disability (or former POW determination)
• Vehicle registration renewal notice
• Photo ID (driver license or state ID)

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm you qualify — you must have a 100% permanent, total service-connected disability as determined by the VA, or be a former prisoner of war as determined by the VA, regardless of disability rating.
2. Gather your required documents: your VA award letter showing the 100% permanent, total service-connected disability (or former POW determination), your vehicle registration renewal notice, and a photo ID (driver license or state ID).
3. Contact your county clerk or county tax collecting official to ask about the online process for claiming the exemption in your county, since the exemption is applied at the county level.
4. Apply online through your county's registration renewal process and present your VA award letter as evidence of your disability or POW status when prompted.
5. Complete the vehicle registration renewal and allow the county office to review your documentation and apply the exemption to waive the county motor vehicle privilege (wheel) tax.

What to expect: After submitting your documentation, the county office that collects the tax — usually the county clerk — will review your evidence and apply the exemption to your vehicle registration. The dollar amount saved equals your county's motor vehicle privilege (wheel) tax, which varies by county and is zero in counties that do not have one. Processing times vary, so ask your county clerk for an estimate if needed. Because the exemption is claimed with each vehicle registration renewal, the county may re-verify your eligibility at that time — keep your VA award letter or POW determination handy for future renewals.

Renewals

claimed with the vehicle registration; the county may re-verify